Tag: Enrollment

  • Enrollment Trending Upward After COVID-19

    Enrollment Trending Upward After COVID-19

    Title: Current Term Enrollment Estimates: Fall 2024

    Source: National Student Clearinghouse Research Center

    Total fall 2024 enrollment rose across multiple factors—including sector, selectivity, and urban-rural classification—bringing it closer to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Service. Compared to fall 2019, overall enrollment increased by 0.4 percent, and compared to fall 2023, it grew by 4.5 percent.

    Enrollment gains were particularly strong in associate programs (up 6.3 percent), bachelor’s programs (up 2.9 percent), master’s programs (up 3.3 percent), and doctoral programs (up 2.0 percent). Private for-profit four-year institutions saw the most significant increase in first-year enrollment, surging by 26.1 percent with more than 11,000 additional students. Public institutions also experienced notable growth, with primarily associate degree-granting baccalaureate institutions up 8.4 percent and public two-year institutions increasing by 6.8 percent.

    First-year enrollment overall grew by 5.5 percent, with the most significant gains among students from the lowest-income neighborhoods (up 9.4 percent). Enrollment increases were generally aligned with neighborhood income levels, with students from the highest-income areas seeing the smallest rise (3.6 percent).

    At Historically Black Colleges and Universities, enrollment increased at both the graduate (6.5 percent) and undergraduate (3.4 percent) levels. Meanwhile, public four-year institutions in rural areas experienced the largest enrollment growth (5.6 percent), while public two-year institutions saw the biggest increases in towns (7.9 percent). Urban areas continued to enroll the most students at public two-year institutions, surpassing 2.3 million.

    Patterns of growth varied across selectivity and sector. Less selective private nonprofit four-year institutions saw the most substantial gains (5.7 percent), with similar increases at less selective public four-year institutions (5.0 percent). Enrollment at highly selective institutions followed a different trend, rising at public four-year institutions (2.9 percent) but declining at private nonprofit institutions (-2.5 percent).

    Regionally, enrollment increased at similar rates in the Northeast, South, and West (4.7 percent each) and rose by 3.1 percent in the Midwest. Utah led the nation in enrollment growth (12.1 percent), while the District of Columbia (-1.9 percent), Vermont (-0.6 percent), and Nebraska (-0.4 percent) saw declines. Graduate enrollment patterns diverged in some areas, with notable decreases in Mississippi (-4.3 percent), Delaware (-3.9 percent), and Missouri (-3.4 percent).

    Fields of study also showed shifts, with undergraduate enrollment in health professions rising 8.3 percent—effectively reversing pandemic-related declines. Among the top 20 major fields, only two saw decreases: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities (-3.1 percent) and English Language and Literature/Letters (-1.5 percent).

    This data provides an encouraging outlook for higher education. Understanding who is enrolling and where is essential for institutional planning and for ensuring equitable access to higher education.

    To explore the data, click here. For the methodology, click here.

    —Erica Swirsky


    If you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please contact us.

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  • First-year student enrollment spiked 5.5% in fall 2024

    First-year student enrollment spiked 5.5% in fall 2024

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    Dive Brief: 

    • Enrollment of first-year students grew 5.5% in fall 2024 compared to the year before, representing an increase of about 130,000 students, according to a final tally from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
    • The figure is a striking reversal from the clearinghouse’s preliminary findings in October, which erroneously reported a decline in first-year students. Earlier this month, the clearinghouse said the early data contained a research error and suspended its preliminary enrollment reports, which use different methodologies to determine first-year student counts than the research center’s reports on final enrollment figures. 
    • College enrollment overall grew 4.5% in fall 2024 compared to the year before, according to the final data, rebounding to levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic caused widespread declines. 

    Dive Insight: 

    The new data is promising for higher education institutions, many of which have weathered steep enrollment declines in the wake of the pandemic. 

    “It is encouraging to see the total number of postsecondary students rising above the pre-pandemic level for the first time this fall,” Doug Shapiro, the research center’s executive director, said in a Wednesday statement. 

    Undergraduate enrollment surged 4.7% this fall, representing an increase of about 716,000 students. Graduate enrollment likewise spiked 3.3%, representing an uptick of about 100,000 students. 

    All sectors enjoyed enrollment increases. For-profit, four-year institutions had the largest enrollment growth, with headcounts rising 7.5% in fall 2024 compared to the year before. Public two-year institutions and public primarily associate-degree granting baccalaureate institutions, or PABs, saw similar levels of growth — 5.8% and 6.3%, respectively. 

    Enrollment also increased at four-year nonprofits. Overall headcounts grew 3.8% at private colleges and 3.1% at public institutions. 

    Older students largely drove the growth in first-year students. Enrollment of first-year students from ages 21 to 24 surged 16.7% in fall 2024, while headcounts of students 25 and older spiked by a whopping 19.7%. 

    Enrollment of younger first-year students also increased, though the growth was more muted. 

    Headcounts of 18-year-old students grew 3.4%. However, this group of first-year students has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, Shapiro said in a statement.

    Similarly, enrollment of first-year students ages 19 to 20 increased 4.5%. 

    Two-year public colleges and public PABs enjoyed strong increases in their first-year student population, with 6.8% and 8.4% growth, respectively. However, for-profit, four-year colleges saw the largest increase, 26.1%, according to the new data. 

    Headcounts of first-year students also spiked at four-year nonprofits, rising 3.3% at public institutions and 2.8% at private colleges. 

    Shapiro addressed the research center’s methodological error during a call Wednesday with reporters. The erroneous preliminary report found that first-year enrollment had declined by 5% — over 10 percentage points lower than what the final data showed. 

    “I think our sensitivity to abnormally large changes was somewhat reduced because we had a host of kind of ready explanations for why we might be seeing these declines,” Shapiro said, citing issues with the federal student aid form, growing concerns with student debt and changes in the labor market.

    The research center staff has been investigating its other publications to see if the issue crept into them. 

    So far, they discovered that the flawed methodology also impacted a February 2024 report on transfer students. The clearinghouse will correct that data when it issues its next transfer report in February. 

    The research center previously announced that the error affected other reports in its “Stay Informed” series, which shares preliminary enrollment data. It has halted those reports — which launched at the height of the pandemic — until it vets a new methodology.

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  • This week in numbers: Clearinghouse retracts first-year enrollment data

    This week in numbers: Clearinghouse retracts first-year enrollment data

    We’re rounding up recent stories, including a methodology mea culpa and billions of dollars in discharged loan debt.

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  • Freshman enrollment up this fall; data error led to miscount

    Freshman enrollment up this fall; data error led to miscount

    Freshman enrollment did not decline this fall, as previously reported in the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s annual enrollment report in October. On Monday, the NSC acknowledged that a methodological error led to a major misrepresentation of first-year enrollment trends, and that first-year enrollment appears to have increased.

    The October report showed first-year enrollments fell by 5 percent, in what would have been the largest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic—and appeared to confirm fears that last year’s bungled rollout of a new federal aid form would curtail college access. Inside Higher Ed reported on that data across multiple articles, and it was featured prominently in major news outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

    According to the clearinghouse, the error was a methodological one, caused by mislabeling many first-year students as dual-enrolled high school students. This also led to artificially inflated numbers on dual enrollment; the October report said the population of dually enrolled students grew by 7.2 percent.

    “The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center acknowledges the importance and significance of its role in providing accurate and reliable research to the higher education community,” Doug Shapiro, the center’s executive director, wrote in a statement. “We deeply regret this error and are conducting a thorough review to understand the root cause and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

    On Jan. 23, the clearinghouse will release another annual enrollment report based on current term estimates that use different research methodologies.

    The Education Department had flagged a potential issue in the data this fall when its financial aid data showed a 5 percent increase in students receiving federal aid. In a statement, Under Secretary James Kvaal said the department was “encouraged and relieved” by the clearinghouse’s correction.

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  • Moving Beyond New Year’s Resolutions to Embrace a Multi-Year Enrollment Strategy 

    Moving Beyond New Year’s Resolutions to Embrace a Multi-Year Enrollment Strategy 

     

    Developing New Year’s resolutions for personal growth is something many of us do. Unfortunately, it is often a set-it and forget-it process that is simply reupped the following year. When done correctly, however, creating a resolution that is developed as a sustained, long-term strategy—and that is regularly returned to and adjusted as needed—seems to be the best way to meet our personal goals.  
     
    As enrollment managers, we all have pursued the first approach in our professional lives by evaluating last year’s successes and failures annually, making a few tweaks, and then seeing how it all works out again the following year. The truth of the matter is that this approach was relatively sustainable for a time. Simply buying more names, adjusting the aid-leveraging model annually, or a developing a wider marketing plan often could drive greater enrollments—mostly because those tactics generally were designed to “add more fuel to the fire.” As long as the applications continued to grow, annual tweaks could help to maintain the core enrollments as well as improve on the margins for many institutions.  

     

    The Need for More Effective Strategic Enrollment Strategies

    Unfortunately, outside of key private and public flagship institutions, headwinds have developed over the past decade that are affecting higher education enrollments in significant ways. Ultimately, they may lead to campus closures for some, and to campus financial distress for many. As outlined in a paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, “Predicting College Closures and Financial Distress,” those pressures include:

    • Post-pandemic enrollment challenges from traditional students (decreasing 15% from 2010-2021).



    • Changes among adult learners (“The number of adult students over the age of 25 has fallen by nearly half since the Great Recession”).



    • Growing competition.



    • A lack of public support for higher education nationally. 

    The combination of all these factors has brought about the need for enrollment managers to develop a wider multi-year strategy that includes tools with the ability to enable deeper, more highly data-informed fine tuning throughout any given cycle. A one-size-fits-all approach to creating a nuanced strategy can no longer work in an environment of shrinking applications and increased competition. 

     

    Liaison’s Partnership Philosophy

    Liaison is uniquely positioned to assist with higher education institutions in a true partnership. With the technology, services, and consultative approach that we provide our partners throughout the nation, we can assist in developing a comprehensive enrollment approach unique to your campus—ranging from single-point to full-enrollment planning solutions that are uniquely tailored to your unique needs. Liaison’s partnership philosophy, technology solutions, and industry knowledge and insights can not only help strengthen your enrollment planning and goals for this year but also set you up for long-term enrollment success.  

     


     

    Craig Cornell is the Vice President for Enrollment Strategy at Liaison. In that capacity, he oversees a team of enrollment strategists and brings best practices, consultation, and data trends to campuses across the country in all things enrollment management. Craig also serves as the dedicated resource to NASH (National Association of Higher Education Systems) and works closely with the higher education system that Liaison supports. Before joining Liaison in 2023, Craig served for over 30 years in multiple higher education executive enrollment management positions. During his tenure, the campuses he served often received national recognition for enrollment growth, effective financial aid leveraging, marketing enhancements, and innovative enrollment strategies.

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  • How Community Colleges Can Simplify the Student Enrollment Process

    How Community Colleges Can Simplify the Student Enrollment Process

    Key Takeaways:

    • Community colleges play a vital role in addressing enrollment barriers, offering tailored support to first-generation and working students.
    • Proactive strategies, such as early communication, community outreach, and wraparound services like food assistance and mental health support, help students navigate challenges and stay engaged.
    • Leveraging technology like CRM systems and AI tools simplifies the student enrollment process and enhances conversion rates.
    • Measuring success through metrics such as conversion rates, re-enrollment, and first-semester engagement lets colleges refine their strategies and better support student persistence and retention.

    The enrollment journey at community colleges can be far from straightforward, as many students face barriers beyond academics—from concerns over affordability to balancing family and work responsibilities and navigating financial aid. For example, nearly 75% of public two-year college students work while enrolled, including 46% working full time, and two-thirds of people enrolled in community colleges are first-generation students, who often do not receive the guidance and support that other students might receive from within their support systems.

    Community colleges are uniquely positioned to open doors for these students who might otherwise never step foot into higher education. By breaking down enrollment barriers, fostering early communication, and utilizing technology, community colleges can create an enrollment experience that meets students where they are. In turn, they can build pathways that lead to success, one student at a time.

    Identifying Enrollment Barriers

    For students new to the world of higher education, the student enrollment process can feel daunting. While community colleges are open-access institutions, this does not always translate to an easy path. Many students come from communities where attending college is not the norm, and some face resistance from family members or struggle with time constraints due to family responsibilities. Financial aid is also a common sticking point. Some students worry about taking on debt, while others have families unwilling to fill out the FAFSA due to privacy concerns, which adds to the complexity of obtaining financial assistance.

    Community colleges that proactively identify these barriers can uncover solutions tailored to each student’s situation. For instance, understanding the unique financial, familial, or community pressures facing students can inform how colleges offer support. Identifying opportunities to become more transparent, such as having standardized institutional aid packages that allow students to see how much aid they would receive, exemplifies this shift toward recognizing and removing institutional barriers. By locating obstacles early, colleges can guide students more effectively throughout the enrollment process, keeping them on track and engaged.

    Strategies for Eliminating Barriers in the Student Enrollment Process

    Addressing these challenges often requires creative solutions that reach beyond academic support. A critical strategy lies in educating students—and, when possible, their communities—on the value of a college education. Many students find themselves questioning the worth of a degree, particularly in communities where traditional college education may be seen as unnecessary. To address this, some colleges have begun integrating community outreach programs that outline the tangible benefits of a college education, from career advancement to personal growth. Tracking college enrollment trends also offers insight into where additional guidance might be needed, ensuring that community colleges can adapt and refine their programs.

    Community colleges can better aid students by offering wraparound services, such as food assistance, mental health counseling, transportation services, and financial literacy courses. Food insecurity, for example, is a widespread problem affecting 23% of community college students. Liaison’s IMPACT Grant, which champions initiatives such as on-campus food pantries, is an excellent example of how colleges can tackle this barrier head-on. By promoting awareness of available resources, colleges make sure students know where to find the support they need, allowing them to focus on their studies rather than their next meal or car troubles.

    Free community college programs, now offered in 36 states, also alleviate the financial strain of pursuing a credential by removing student debt as a barrier to entry. As more colleges promote these programs, the cost of higher education becomes less intimidating, particularly for first-generation and low-income students who might otherwise forgo college due to cost concerns.

    The Critical Role of Early Communication

    Community colleges often enter the higher education conversation with prospective students later than four-year institutions, missing critical opportunities to provide guidance. While some universities engage students as early as their freshman year of high school, community colleges might not start outreach until a student’s senior year. This timing can make a significant difference: earlier communication lets students weigh all their options without feeling pressured by high tuition at traditional four-year colleges. It also opens up time to explore scholarships, grants, and other options.

    Reaching students sooner can reduce enrollment anxiety, allowing them to explore programs that align with their financial needs and career goals. By actively promoting programs and resources through social media, local events, and high school partnerships, community colleges can position themselves as accessible, affordable, and valuable options for higher education.

    Leveraging Technology to Support Enrollment Journeys

    Innovative technology, such as CRM systems and AI-driven tools, plays a transformative role in simplifying the enrollment process. Liaison’s TargetX and Outcomes CRMs, for example, provide tailored platforms for managing student engagement and application processing. With tools for omnichannel marketing, application management, and progress tracking, these platforms allow students to communicate with advisors and gain clear guidance throughout the admissions process. As a result, institutions are able to improve conversion rates and enroll more best-fit students.

    AI-powered chatbots, now integrated into these CRMs, also assist students in navigating questions and concerns in real-time. This technology offers immediate, practical support that keeps students on track toward enrollment and reduces logistical barriers.

    Measuring Enrollment Success

    To understand the impact of their enrollment strategies, community colleges must look at specific metrics that reflect student progress and satisfaction. Identifying conversion rates at each enrollment stage offers insight into where students might drop off and allows administrators to refine support systems accordingly. Once students are on campus, tracking their first-semester engagement—particularly through the crucial first four weeks—can highlight early challenges and help colleges design interventions to boost retention as well as persistence after the first year.

    Examining re-enrollment rates from semester to semester is another key indicator of success. Demonstrating steady improvements in these areas reflects well on the effectiveness of a school’s holistic support and technology. Such data can also indicate how effectively institutions are offsetting the rate of community college enrollment decline, a pressing issue for those seeking to sustain their missions.

    Community colleges serve as the best opportunity to access higher education for many students. By removing enrollment barriers, actively communicating early and often, and leveraging technology to simplify the admissions process, community colleges can create pathways that lead students to fulfilling educational journeys. The more colleges embrace these strategies, the more efficient and successful the enrollment journey becomes for all students, leading to an increasingly inclusive and accessible higher education landscape.

    Liaison is committed to helping community colleges streamline admissions and improve student outcomes. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.


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  • Graduate Enrollment Insights | Collegis Education

    Graduate Enrollment Insights | Collegis Education

    Inside the Minds of Grad Students: 5 Key Findings from Our Latest Study on Graduate Enrollment

    As a higher education leader, it’s no secret that you’re facing a fiercely competitive graduate enrollment landscape. You know as well as I do that understanding what prospective students want and how they behave isn’t just helpful – it’s crucial to your institution’s success. That’s why we teamed up with UPCEA to conduct a deep dive into today’s post-baccalaureate students, uncovering their unique needs, expectations, and wants.

    We’ve published those insights in our latest report to help colleges and universities fine-tune their graduate enrollment strategies and deliver real results. You can download the complete report here: Building a Better Pipeline: Enrollment Funnel Needs and Perspectives from Potential Post-Baccalaureate Students

    Our research focused on individuals who expressed at least some interest in pursuing advanced education, and this study sheds light on what matters most to potential graduate students—everything from program types and communication preferences to application expectations.

    As we dug into the data, some obvious themes emerged. Here are five key findings that can prepare your institution to stand out in this tight market and guide you in shaping strategies that resonate, engage, and deliver results.

    5 insights to sharpen your graduate enrollment strategy

    1. Graduate enrollment is a crowded market—and the stakes are high

    This is no surprise to those working in higher ed in recent years. Graduate enrollment is slowing, with just a 1.1% projected increase over the next five years. Adding to the challenge, 20% of institutions dominate 77% of the market. For everyone else, it’s a fierce battle for a shrinking pool of candidates. To win, you’ll need a sharp, focused approach.

    2. Online programs are the clear favorite

    Did you know that 71% of prospective students are “extremely” or “very” interested in fully online programs? Hybrid formats come in a close second, while traditional in-person options are struggling to keep pace. The data confirms that flexibility isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity.

    3. Program information is a make-or-break factor

    Here’s something we see far too often: quality programs losing prospective students simply because critical details—like tuition costs and course requirements—are buried or missing entirely from the school’s website. In fact, 62% of students indicated they would drop off early in their search for this exact reason.

    The fix? It’s simpler than you might think. By optimizing your program pages and doubling down on SEO, you can turn passive visitors into engaged prospects.

    4. Financial transparency builds trust

    Sticker shock is real. High application fees, vague cost information, and limited financial aid details are among the top reasons students abandon the application process late in the game. By addressing these concerns clearly and directly, you’re not just solving a problem, you’re building trust.

    5. Email is still king

    When it comes to connecting with prospective graduate students, email reigns supreme. Whether it’s inquiring about programs (47%), application follow-ups (67%), or receiving application decisions (69%), email is the channel students trust the most.
    But here’s the catch: your emails have to be timely, personalized, and relevant in order to make an impact.

    The key to graduate enrollment success is just a click away

    The insights highlighted above are just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine what’s possible when you apply them to your graduate enrollment strategy.

    If you’re ready to refine your approach and stay ahead of the curve, we’ve got you covered. Our report dives deeper into the data and uncovers actionable insights, including:

    • Positioning your online and hybrid offerings to meet growing demand
    • Optimizing program pages to emphasize the information students value most
    • Communicating financial information proactively to convert candidates
    • Building email outreach strategies that build trust and keep students engaged

    Grab your complimentary copy of the report today, and let’s start building a better pipeline together!

    Your roadmap to winning in the competitive graduate market.

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  • Troubled FAFSA Rollout Linked to Sharp Decline in First-Year College Enrollment

    Troubled FAFSA Rollout Linked to Sharp Decline in First-Year College Enrollment

    Title: Fewer Freshmen Enrolled in College This Year Following Troubling FAFSA Cycle

    Author: Katharine Meyer

    Source: Brookings Institution, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center

    The rollout of the new FAFSA form last year triggered cascading consequences across the higher education community. The launch was delayed, customer calls remained unanswered, and the number of filings decreased by about three percent. As the form’s issues compounded, experts predicted that the fumbled rollout would likely negatively impact the higher education sector across several metrics, particularly new student enrollment.

    The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center collected data at the beginning of the academic year to begin painting the updated enrollment picture and will follow up with final enrollment numbers for the 2024-25 academic year. The Brookings Institution analyzed the preliminary data and observed large declines in FAFSA filings, followed by a decrease in first-year enrollment.

    Across all institutions, first-year enrollment is down 5.8 percent among 18-year-olds and 8.6 percent among 19-20-year-olds. At public four-year institutions, first-year enrollment declined 8.5 percent, and it declined 6.5 percent at private four-year institutions. White freshman enrollment declined the most (11.4 percent), followed by multiracial (6.6 percent) and Black (6.1 percent) first-year student enrollment. Enrollment at HBCUs, however, increased 5.9 percent from last year and has cumulatively increased 12.6 percent since fall 2022.

    First-year enrollment at four-year schools declined across all levels of Pell Grant recipience. Institutions that experienced the largest declines in first-year enrollment, though, were public and private four-year institutions with the highest shares of students receiving Pell Grants (-10.4 and -10.7 percent, respectively). First-year enrollment at four-year colleges is also down across all levels of selectivity, with the largest decline occurring at very competitive public four-year institutions (-10.8 percent), followed by competitive public four-year institutions (-10.3 percent).

    Despite declines in first-year enrollment, total college enrollment increased three percent, due in part to a 4.7 percent increase in community college enrollment. Interestingly, this increase occurred at certain types of two-year institutions but not all of them. At colleges that predominantly award associate degrees and some bachelor’s degrees, freshman enrollment increased 2.2 percent, and at two-year institutions that enroll a higher proportion of low-income students, first-year enrollment increased 1.2 percent. At community colleges only awarding associate degrees, however, enrollment decreased by 1.1 percent.

    The author notes these insights come with caveats; many factors have contributed to enrollment decline over the last decade, notably falling public confidence in higher education and the ever-growing cost of attending college. The sharp decline in first-year enrollment, however, correlates with the troubled FAFSA launch. Continuing to collect data over time will provide more insight into the implications of recent disruptions to enrollment trends, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic and the FAFSA rollout. The 2025-26 FAFSA form will be available this December, and its functionality will determine the gravity of the past year’s enrollment decline.

    To view the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data dashboard, click here. To read the Brookings Institution analysis, click here.

    —Erica Swirsky


    If you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please contact us.

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  • Enrollment Management Software: Enhance Student Experience

    Enrollment Management Software: Enhance Student Experience

    Tune In To Our Audio Blog

     

    Introduction

    Enrollment management is the core function of any educational institution. It involves not merely processing applications but also influencing students’ futures and facilitating a smooth experience from the initial expression of interest in your institution. This work can frequently appear daunting for registrars.

    You are responsible for the daily management of extensive documentation, the navigation of complex systems, and the pursuit of ensuring that each student feels supported and welcomed. Nevertheless, it is clear that a straightforward routine can be transformed into a substantial inconvenience by manual procedures, communication failures, and data management complications.

    Enrollment management software is thus critically essential in this context. This robust solution is engineered to confront the difficulties you encounter directly, facilitating process optimization and improving the student experience. We will be addressing student enrollment issues faced by registrars during registration and investigate how an appropriate software solution might significantly benefit both your staff and the students you assist. Let us engage collaboratively to address these concerns.

     

    Common Pain Points in Enrollment Management

     

     

    Since we are all aware that enrollment management is a genuine challenge, let us discuss some of the most significant sore points you encounter. And rest assured, you are not alone in this. A whopping 67% of registrars report feeling overwhelmed by manual processes and documentation, as indicated by a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). We can deconstruct a few of these “student enrollment issues” for you!

     

    Manual Procedures and Paperwork

    Manual data entry can be inordinately time-consuming, as we are all aware. No matter how diligently you propel, you appear to make minimal progress when endeavoring to swim upstream. Disorganized spreadsheets, handwritten notes, and stacks of forms not only impede productivity but also heighten the probability of errors. In reality, organizations that implement manual processes may allocate up to 30% more time to administrative duties than those that adhere to automated systems. Imagining the potential of that additional leisure!

     

    Lack of Real-Time Data Access

    How frequently do you wait for info before making a big decision? Real-time data is essential in today’s fast-paced educational environment. Working with obsolete or delayed data might slow your response to student needs and strategic opportunities. According to a recent research, 56% of registrars said delayed data retrieval hindered decision-making. Yikes!

     

    Communication Gaps

    Communicating can be like playing broken telephone. Departments and students can lose vital information, causing confusion and frustration. Critical updates may not reach the appropriate people at the right time. Eduventures found that 43% of enrollment officers have communication gaps, which affect student happiness and engagement.

     

    Poor Application Tracking

    How often have you yearned for a magic wand to effortlessly track application statuses? Finding a needle in a haystack might be difficult without a system. Incomplete applications, missing paperwork, and inability to track progress can stress registrars and students. College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) found that 62% of registrars struggle with application monitoring, delaying admissions and missing student prospects.

     

    Few Reports and Analytics

    Let’s conclude with data analysis—or lack thereof. How can you examine trends and patterns to inform enrollment plans if your reporting capabilities are limited? You must estimate what works and what doesn’t without complete data. According to an AACRAO poll, 70% of registrars want better reporting tools to guide their strategy.

    That’s it. These typical issues can severely affect enrollment management and the student experience. Do not worry! The correct enrollment management software can address these issues. Explore how it can streamline your procedures and improve everyone’s experience.

     

    How Can Universities Reduce Pain Points in the Student Enrollment Process Using Enrollment Management Software?

     

    Say Goodbye to Paperwork with Automation

    It’s no secret that entering data by hand and dealing with piles of papers can be a real pain. By bettering these steps, enrollment management software takes that load off your shoulders. You could save a lot of time if you let the software do the boring work. That way, you could focus on what really matters: helping kids and making their experience better.

     

    Have insights at your fingertips in real time

    Delayed data can make it hard to make quick choices. When you use registration management software, you can get to important data at any time. You don’t have to wait for reports or changes anymore. You can get instant information that helps you make decisions right away.

     

    Talk to people in other departments without any problems

    Communication is very important in a busy registration office, which we all know. These systems come with built-in ways to talk to each other and kids, so everyone stays in touch. There will be less confusion and knowledge will flow more easily, which is good for everyone.

     

    Master Application Tracking

    There shouldn’t be any element of guesswork involved in monitoring applications. Using the application tracking features provided by enrollment management software, you can easily keep tabs on the status of each application in real time.

    The outcome = you can stay organized plus give ultimate experience to applicants that they demand.

     

    Master the Art of Advanced Reporting for Radical Insights

    Data is your greatest ally when enhancing enrollment strategies. Enrollment management software’s powerful reporting and analytics features help you gain valuable insights into patterns and outcomes. This simply implies that you may influence your organization’s success through data-driven decisions.

     

    Advanced Reporting Provides Powerful Insights

    Data is your best friend for enrollment strategy improvement. Advanced reporting and analytics in enrollment management software let you analyze trends and outcomes. You can use data to make decisions that affect your institution’s success.

     

    What Enrollment Management Software Can Do for You, Registrar! Additional Benefits

     

    benefits-of-enrollment-management-software

     

    Easily Create Compliance Reports: No more scrambling during audits. With built-in reporting tools, you’ll have audit-ready reports at your fingertips.

    Create Compliance Reports with No Effort: No more rushing through audits. Built-in reporting features will let you have audit-ready reports right at hand.

    Reduced Human Errors: Automate data entry and tracking to greatly lower errors that might pass through in-hand procedures. 

    Access Real-Time Enrollment Data: Real-time updates will keep you current with enrollment figures, so guiding quick, wise selections.

    Secure Student Data: Forget data breaches. Cloud storage ensures security and compliance, providing you peace of mind.

    Make Reviewing Applications Easy: Let the program indicate critical details so you may focus on the big picture instead of sorting through heaps of papers.

    Get Everyone on One Agenda: Forget about departmental conflicts. Centralized data guarantees that everyone has the same information, so facilitating smooth teamwork.

    Create Methodologies That Fit You: Customize the system to fit the demands of your university so the enrolling process seems seamless, quick, and completely customized.

    Engage Students More: Use the software’s chat features to keep students up to date and interested throughout the whole process.

    Scale operations easily: The software adapts to your needs, so you don’t have to worry about losing accuracy or speed as the number of enrollments goes up or down.

     

    Wrapping It Up: Boost Enrollment Management with the Right Tool from Creatrix Campus

    At the heart of improving the student experience is how well you manage enrollment. We know the pain points—manual processes, communication breakdowns, and keeping track of every application can slow you down. As a registrar, you’re juggling enough already. Why not make things easier?

    Enrollment management software helps. We simplify operations, improve collaboration, and provide real-time data access, so you can focus on delivering a successful student journey. When modernizing your system, Creatrix Campus includes everything a modern registrar needs to ease the process. Contact our staff for more!

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  • The Enrollment Shift: Strategies for Engaging the Modern Learner

    The Enrollment Shift: Strategies for Engaging the Modern Learner

    Meet Maria. A recent high school graduate with her sights set on a career in web development, Maria surprised her family by choosing a six-month accelerated certificate program at a local community college over a traditional four-year computer science degree. Why? Because Maria, like many of today’s learners, prioritizes a fast track to career readiness, affordability and the flexibility to learn at her own pace. She’s not alone. This trend is playing out across the country, forcing institutions to rethink their approach to attracting and retaining students.

    Maria’s story exemplifies the enrollment shift happening in higher education. Greg Clayton, the President of the EMS division of EducationDynamics says: “Higher education isn’t collapsing, it’s shifting. Schools must adapt to meet the evolving needs of today’s students or they will be left behind.” This shift is driven by a confluence of factors, from changing demographics to evolving student priorities and the rise of new technologies.

    Changing How We Think About the Coming Enrollment Cliff

    As we covered earlier this year in our blog post about the Enrollment Cliff, higher education is about to come up against a demographic shift that will impact first-year enrollment, starting with the Fall 2025 class. With this demographic “apocalypse” just on the horizon, all eyes and thoughts have been on what to do about a shrinking pool of 18-year-olds looking to start their first year of college.

    However, as research from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) indicates, we may be looking at an Enrollment Shift that is happening concurrently with the Enrollment Cliff. The latest NSC data for 2024 shows that while enrollment rose 3% overall for the Fall 2024 term over the Fall 2023 term, Fall enrollment for incoming freshmen is down across all institutions at an average of 5%. To be clear, we have not hit the Enrollment Cliff yet. The importance of this data cannot be overemphasized. If 18-year-olds are already considering waiting or taking alternate paths to the workforce and obtaining a degree, the demographic shift will hit that much harder, over a longer period of time.

    Digging further into the data reveals even more startling numbers, which show larger shifts in enrollment trends based on economic background. Compared to Fall 2023 enrollment, institutions which have a high percentage of students utilizing Pell grants, the retraction for both publics and private non-profits is over 10%. From the students’ perspective, “middle” income households are also seeing the steepest decline, at 8%.

    So what does this tell us? It is telling us that the background noise over the past 5-7 years regarding the cost of getting a degree, the methodology with which they are achieved and the career/economic outcomes afterward are absolutely being reflected by the decisions people are making who are most impacted by these economic realities. It is telling us that the current model is not working, it is unsustainable – it is untenable for the students and it is untenable for the schools that are supposed to support them. Match this massive regression in the market with the actual Enrollment Cliff and the numbers are more than startling. It is in the millions, compounded by each year of subsequent birth decline.

    And what is making up for this loss in incoming freshmen? As we have stated before, it is being fueled by a surge in “non-traditional” students – adult learners, international students and those returning to college to upskill or reskill. These students bring with them a wealth of experience and a clear sense of purpose, but they also have unique needs and expectations. Institutions must be prepared to cater to this growing population by offering programs and services that align with their goals and lifestyles.

    Furthermore, the “some college, no credential” (SCNC) population, now numbering 36.8 million, represents a significant opportunity for higher education institutions. Re-enrollment among this group increased by 9.1% in the 2022-2023 academic year, demonstrating a growing desire for continued education and career advancement. Reaching out to this population and providing clear pathways for degree completion can be a valuable strategy for boosting enrollment and serving a population eager to advance their careers.

    It’s also important to recognize that age is no longer a predictor of learning modality. Many younger students, like Maria, are opting for part-time enrollment, online programs, or alternative credentials that offer a quicker path to employment. The Modern Learner, regardless of age, demands flexibility and relevance. They are digital natives, accustomed to accessing information and services online and they expect the same level of convenience and personalization from their educational experiences.

    The Rising of the Modern Learner Era

    To thrive in this new era, consider some of these strategies higher education institutions to adapt to the needs of the Modern Learner.

    Offer Flexible Learning Options

    Expand online and hybrid learning modalities to cater to students who need flexibility in their schedules and learning environment. Offer evening, weekend and accelerated programs to accommodate those balancing work and family commitments. Provide multiple start dates throughout the year to allow students to enroll when it’s convenient for them. Consider incorporating modalities like microlearning and self-paced learning to further cater to individual needs. Offer mobile-friendly learning platforms and resources to allow students to learn on the go.

    Focus on Career Relevance

    Develop programs that align with current and future workforce needs. Partner with employers to offer internships, apprenticeships and other work-based learning experiences that provide students with practical skills and industry connections. Embed industry-recognized certifications within degree programs to enhance their value and marketability. Actively promote career services, networking events and alumni mentorship programs to connect students with career opportunities. Conduct regular labor market analyses to ensure programs are aligned with current and emerging industry trends.

    Make Education More Affordable

    Increase the availability of scholarships and financial aid to help students manage the cost of education. Explore tuition discounts for employees of partner organizations to incentivize upskilling and reskilling. Promote tuition payment plans to make education more accessible to those with limited financial resources. Consider offering income-share agreements or other innovative financing models to align the cost of education with future earning potential. Provide clear and transparent information about tuition costs and financial aid options.

    Provide Robust Student Support Services

    Offer personalized academic advising and career counseling to help students navigate their educational journey and achieve their career goals. Provide support for students balancing work, family and other commitments, such as childcare resources, online tutoring and flexible scheduling options. Create a welcoming and inclusive campus environment where all students feel supported and valued. Offer mental health services, accessibility resources and dedicated support for diverse student populations, including first-generation students, veterans and students with disabilities.

    Streamline the Transfer Credit Process

    Implement a clear and transparent transfer credit policy to facilitate the seamless transfer of credits from other institutions. Adopt a generous policy on accepting transfer credits, recognizing the value of prior learning and experience. Provide dedicated support for SCNC students to help them navigate the re-enrollment process and complete their degrees. Consider implementing prior learning assessment (PLA) programs to grant credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside of the traditional classroom. Develop partnerships with community colleges and other institutions to create seamless transfer pathways.

    Leverage Technology to Enhance the Student Experience

    Use data analytics to personalize communication and support, tailoring messages and interventions to individual student needs. Implement user-friendly online platforms for course registration, financial aid and other services, making it easy for students to access information and complete tasks. Offer on-site chat options on school websites to provide immediate assistance and answer questions in real-time. Explore the use of AI-powered chatbots to provide 24/7 support and personalized guidance. Utilize virtual reality and augmented reality technologies to create immersive learning experiences.

    Embracing the Enrollment Shift

    The future of higher education depends on its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the Modern Learner. Institutions that embrace flexibility, affordability, career relevance and student-centered approaches will be well-positioned for success.

    It’s time to embrace the enrollment shift. By understanding the motivations and priorities of today’s students, higher education can evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This requires a shift in mindset, from a focus on traditional models of education to a more agile, responsive and student-centric approach.

    EducationDynamics is your partner in navigating this changing landscape. We provide the expertise and solutions you need to attract, enroll and retain Modern Learners. Contact us today to learn more.

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